CBRE has published its inaugural Understanding European Technology Clusters report, highlighting the vibrancy and rapid growth of Europe’s tech sector. The report analyses the characteristics of tech clusters and explores future opportunities among high-performing, and emerging, tech cities across Europe. 

In 2016 the Romanian retail market was characterized by a high volume of delivered space and entry of new brands, which opened their first shops both in already existing shopping centers and in recently opened projects. Colliers International expects to see new names on the market, especially among Polish brands.

Polish Enterprise Fund VI (PEF VI), a private equity fund managed by Enterprise Investors, has signed an agreement to sell 100% of shares in Profi Rom Food, the largest supermarket chain in Romania, to Mid Europa Partners, a private equity firm focused on buyouts in Central and Eastern Europe. The total equity value of the transaction is €533 million and the transaction is subject to obtaining the necessary regulatory approvals. This is the largest deal ever completed by a private equity fund in Romania and the largest retail deal in the country’s history. 

General optimism, attractive investment opportunities and more capital characterises the Central and Eastern European property market that is now considered a favourable investment destination by international investors. The second Emerging Europe Property Forum, co-organised by Portfolio Property Forum and RICS, took place on 8 November at the RICS HQ in London. 

In order to be sustainable and environmental friendly, CTP targeted a 5 % energy consumption reduction within the CTPark portfolio in 2016. A total area of 250 000 sqm will be retrofitted until the end of the year. 

Romania has significantly strengthened its position as a favourable investment destination within Central & Eastern Europe and unlike other countries in the region, the Romanian property market is not entirely dominated by its capital city. Although investors and developers are most active in Bucharest, secondary and even tertiary cities have a lot of potential as well, and several companies have decided to explore what these regional hubs have to offer. 

Central and Eastern European housing markets are over the crisis and prices have once again begun to rise. The general upswing, observed on European housing markets, is supported by a number of factors. Following the economic crisis, GDP has begun to grow once again in most countries and the interest environment is also favourable to borrowing. These both contribute to a recovery in housing market demand, which may then materialise in higher prices. In the case of housing markets in the Central and Eastern European region, significant differences in price dynamics may be observed. Hungary stands out from the field, where a highly significant price rise has been observed in the past two years with the prices of second-hand homes having grown by 29 percent. We take a look at Central and Eastern European housing markets.

L1 building, belonging to the second phase of Brasov’s Coresi Business Park, with an area of 8,300 sqm, was delivered in September 2016. There are ongoing construction works on the second new building, N1, with 8,500 sqm, planned for delivery in Q2 of 2017. Coresi Business Park now totals over 30,000 sqm of a class office space and aims to reach 100,000 sqm in the coming years.

This year has witnessed new players entering Central and Eastern European markets which, when combined with investments from the region's traditional players, has further increased CEE investment activity. Colliers, Skanska and JLL has released a joint report that analyses the region’s potential as an investment location.

CTP has announced the appointment of Ana Dumitrache as co-country head for CTP Romania who will co-ordinate operations with CTP CEO, Remon L. Vos. Mrs. Dumitrache will be responsible for funding, finance & accounting, focusing on business development in particular, and will support the overall operations of CTP in Romania. Her target within CTP will be to replicate her success in the banking industry, bringing strength and professionalism to the team, creating bridges with partners and supporting the dynamic growth of the company.